The Community Centre will be a new, split level sports, events and training complex connected to Collingwood’s training base at the Westpac Centre and built next to an MCG-sized sports oval being developed on the Olympic Park site. It is designed to provide the community with access to elite training facilities and cater for a range of programs, sports and events.
Some of the major objectives behind the $15 million project include:
- the opening up the Olympic Park precinct and Collingwood’s elite training facilities for greater community use and engagement.
- promoting the Federal Government’s policy of supporting community sport and increasing Australians' participation in recreational activities.
- actively supporting the Federal Government’s policies to address inactivity and obesity and the resulting benefits to society.
- offering a wide range of activities, programs, experiences and expertise that will inspire people to be healthy and active.
- having as a major focus the provision of safe and secure facilities for the participation of women in active recreation and sport.
Key features include a 150 seat theatre; secure and managed public locker rooms and training facilities for women; multi-purpose community group meeting and training rooms and facilities for a health and wellbeing centre. Works are expected to commence in 2013.
The Federal Government has made a $10 million contribution to the project.
Senator Lundy met with Collingwood president Eddie McGuire, chief executive Gary Pert and director of stadia and community David Emerson to receive an update on the project and later took in some of the redevelopment works underway.
“The project is on track and is something we are very proud of,” Emerson said.
“We see that it will make a substantial contribution to the precinct and the life of many people in this city, a vision that the Federal Government and the Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust shares.”
Collingwood President Eddie McGuire, Senator Kate Lundy and Collingwood CEO Gary Pert view the progress of the Community Centre at Olympic Park.
Eddie McGuire and Senator Kate Lundy take in the redevelopment.
